A New Yorker dealing with a tough time is ninth grader Mia Thermopolis. She is failing math, her mother is dating her algebra teacher, and her father is in town to drop the bomb that because of his testicular cancer, he cannot have any more children. However, her father’s cancer has an unintended consequence for Mia’s life: she is now the sole heir to Genovia, a small European principality. Mia had no idea of her family’s royal status, and now she must endure Princess Lessons with her formidable grand-mère. Add in a virulent antiroyalist for a best friend, beautiful senior Josh, and a bodyguard, and readers will cackle with delight over Mia’s mishaps and victories.
The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
A New Yorker dealing with a tough time is ninth grader Mia Thermopolis. She is failing math, her mother is dating her algebra teacher, and her father is in town to drop the bomb that because of his testicular cancer, he cannot have any more children. However, her father’s cancer has an unintended consequence for Mia’s life: she is now the sole heir to Genovia, a small European principality. Mia had no idea of her family’s royal status, and now she must endure Princess Lessons with her formidable grand-mère. Add in a virulent antiroyalist for a best friend, beautiful senior Josh, and a bodyguard, and readers will cackle with delight over Mia’s mishaps and victories.
This book has been picked as ... an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers in 2001!
Meg Cabot's 2005 New York City Summer Reading Chat transcript with the New York Public Library.